To meet the needs of an evolving workforce in the ethanol industry, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has launched the Young Professionals Network (YPN), a new program geared toward members of the ethanol industry and stakeholder industries who are 39 years old and younger. The YPN is designed to bring together innovative and dedicated young professionals to build new relationships …
Ethanol Production Slows
Ethanol production slowed its steady upward pace last week for the first time since the end of April, dropping by 2.5 percent from the previous week. According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending July 17, ethanol production slowed by 2.5%, or 23,000 barrels per day (b/d), to 908,000 b/d—equivalent to 38.14 million gallons …
RFA Board Conducts Virtual Hill Visits
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) Board of Directors meeting this week included more than a dozen virtual visits with lawmakers and administration officials on Capitol Hill. Discussions covered a broad range of topics, including the impact of COVID-19 on ethanol producers, trade challenges and opportunities around the world, E15 market expansion, and EPA implementation of the Renewable Fuel Standard. “With …
Industry Pays Tribute to Ethanol Answer Man
The ethanol industry is mourning the loss of another pioneer. Larry Johnson, known as the “Ethanol Answer Man,” passed away July 19 at the age of 76. Larry was active in the Minnesota Corn Growers Assn., transitioning into ethanol promotion with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. He later became a private consultant to the ethanol industry, traveling around the country …
RFA General Counsel Appointed to USDA Trade Committee
Renewable Fuels Association General Counsel Ed Hubbard has been appointed to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC) for Trade in Grains, Feed, Oilseeds and Planting Seeds. Hubbard is the only appointee to any of the advisory committees who represents the renewable fuels industry. The ATAC advises the Secretary of Agriculture and the United States Trade Representative …
RFA Study Estimates Ethanol Industry COVID Losses
A new economic analysis from the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) shows the COVID-19 crisis has already led to more than $3.4 billion in lost revenues for the U.S. ethanol industry, and could ultimately reach nearly $9 billion. The new study by RFA Chief Economist Scott Richman uses empirical data to assess the actual impact of COVID-19 on the ethanol industry …
Retailers Urged to Act Fast on Ethanol HBIIP Grants
The deadline to apply for USDA’s Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) is less than a month away, and the Renewable Fuels Association reminds retailers and other interested parties to move quickly to complete the registration and application process before August 13. Among the important tools available to interested retailers are: 1) application assistance from grant-writing experts; 2) equipment compatibility …
Ethanol Report 7-15-20
U.S. ethanol production is slowly clawing its way upward to more normal levels after reaching record lows in April, but it remains significantly lower than a year ago and the industry is hoping Congress will soon get a new stimulus bill passed to provide some aid. Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency is not making decisions on important ethanol issues, such …
RFA Comments on EPA Anti-Backsliding Measure
The Renewable Fuels Association supports for the EPA’s proposal to determine that no additional measures are necessary to mitigate “potential adverse air quality impacts” associated with the Renewable Fuel Standard. At the same time, RFA’s comments on the Proposed Anti-Backsliding Determination for Renewable Fuels and Air Quality challenged the flawed air quality modeling and analysis conducted by EPA to inform …
Video Spotlights Ethanol’s Important Co-Products
A new educational video from the Renewable Fuels Association and Kansas Corn spotlights all of the important co-products that come from ethanol production. Those products include distillers grains for livestock feed, distillers oil used to make biodiesel, and captured carbon dioxide for the food and beverage industries. With fuel ethanol demand experiencing a significant reduction during the COVID-19 pandemic, which …